Booking flights

Flights were generally booked about 90 days beforehand because we believe that ensures the best deals.

In all, we used four airlines – Scoot, Aegean, Eurowings, and EasyJet. ‘Age-Friendly’ reports will be forthcoming on each.

All have easy-to-use websites and apps for managing your flights; getting boarding passes, selecting seats etc. An important tip is to make sure that the names you book are identifical to those in your passport – as changes may cost money.

We saved money and made it easier on ourselves by packing light – one 22kg bag between us and a carry-on bag each.

Accommodation

Accommodation was chosen at the same time as flights – also with the aim of doing extensive ‘Age-Friendly’ reports on each.

We used numerous websites to compare hotel and Airbnb prices, with emphasis on central location – and proximity to public transport.

Once selected, we pre-paid accommodation – avoiding ‘cancellation-free’ booking. This can be a little risky if the entire trip falls over, but we prefer to take the chance for a lower cost.

Almost all our accommodation was paid well before we left home – although there’s always the occasional hotel that reserves the booking but doesn’t actually take the money until later.

And once booked, we followed up with at least one confirmation email close to the date of leaving.

Ferries

Ferries were reserved at least three months ahead of time, as we believe that prices for moving between the Greek Islands can increase as trips get closer.

And again, our aim was to see how the ferries catered for travellers of all ages …… and pass on our information.

We booked directly with the companies involved – and double checked by email.

International courier

We trialled an international shuttle service, Go-Opti, to travel from Venice, Italy to Ljubjana in Slovenia.

What could have taken most of a day by train or coach, was reduced to about three hours.

The service collected us and our luggage from one hotel and delivered us in comfort to another, at a lower cost than alternatives.

Watch for our upcoming review of Go-Opti. It’s an eye-opener.

All other bookings were done in the final month, including courier services at Santorini and London – which both worked out cheaper than using taxis – and train trips in Slovenia and the UK.

Public transport

As always, we also saved substantially by using public transport where possible.

For example, we were quoted $80 for a taxi from Changi Airport, Singapore to our hotel in the heart of the city. We had deliberately selected a hotel near a bus stop – and used a public bus that covered the same trip for about five dollars.

In Austria, Germany and Italy, our travel was kindly provided by close friends who took us to some wonderful sights.

In London, we chose a hotel within two minutes walking distance of Victoria Coach Terminal, from where we could get a bus to Gatwick Airport for about seven pounds – far less than any alternative.

Where possible, we always avoid airport trains – and usually save substantially by doing so.

For example, in Greece and Venice, we caught local buses to and from our attractions – and the airport. In each case, we emailed various bus services beforehand – and negotiated prices ourselves until we were happy with the quotes.

The only time we used a taxi was late at night in Athens – and, again, we emailed several companies beforehand to lock in an agreed price.

If you must use a cab with a meter, contact people like us to find out the exact distance you want to travel – and photograph the meter as you start the trip

Discounts

Before deciding on any travel, accommodation or attractions, we always make a point of checking whether the provider offers discounts. There’s nothing to lose in asking, and it can sometimes save money.

For example, on this trip, we visited the massive Skocjan Caves in Slovenia – and were delighted to find substantial discounts offered for NSW Seniors Card holders.

However, in recent years, we have developed our own list of essential gadgets that we take with us on our travels.

Two iPads and at least one iPhone – for writing reviews, social media, using Apple Wallet and keeping in touch via FaceTime.

Two wifi cameras – for illustrating reviews and social media updates.

Portable digital scales. With excess baggage fees today, these scales are essential. We hook them to our bag handle and lift the luggage for an LED weight read-out.

An all-in-one powerpoint adapter. After years to carrying one for European powerpoints and another for the US, we were thrilled when all-in-one devices appeared.

Power bank. These are extremely handy, especially if they have enough juice to charge two devices.

It’s almost a hotel truism that there are never enough powerpoints in your room. We use a multi adapter which combine extra power points, USB points and a surge protector.

Bags may have individual locks, but we keep hearing about people who have lost their entire luggage on ferries or buses. So we take a retractable cable lock with a 90 cm steel cable for wrapping around a pole or rack.

An ‘under the door’ alarm and a range of anti-theft bags and clothing.

To complement hotel wifi, we adapted an old Apple Express music player to serve as a travel router and plug into high speed internet cables available in most rooms. Time will eventually catch up with this old technology, but at the moment, it works well.

But it does avoid the hassles of being laden down with back-breaking baggage; constantly weighting your load in fear; and the boring ritual of standing with crossed fingers at airport baggage carousels.

We’re yet to try one of these services but, like everything else, it seems that the widespread adoption of the idea would probably have a lot to do with cost and convenience.

From all reports, it appears that the cost, naturally, depends on how much luggage you want shipped and where.

And we tested and reviewed some of the leading products before making recommendations on their suitability and advisability for travel.

In the course of the series, one of the most creative personal security ideas that we came across were Passport Security Socks from Zip It Gear.

These are ingenious – high quality, comfortable socks for both women and men, with a hidden zippered compartment to store valuables.

Photo courtesy Zip It Gear

A great idea born over a beer

It’s often said that the best ideas are born of necessity and Zip It Gear admits that this was certainly the case with the Passport Security Socks.

The concept came after inventor and owner, Evan Papel, was pickpocketed while travelling in Europe.

Over a beer and what cash he had left, came the idea of the security socks.

From a personal security point of view, it was a moment of brilliance. Unless thieves are crawling along the ground, this is truly a great way to keep things safe.

Our review: The security aspect

We tested the size of the hidden pocket and found that it quite easily held:

a Passport

coins and notes

a credit card

ID (driver’s licence)

No rubbing against the leg

Initially, we were wary that valuables put in the pocket might irritate the wearer or hamper movement.

However, after extensive road testing, our concerns were eased: the pocket is designed to sit above the ankle and didn’t rub against our legs at all.

We even added a key to the pocket, but still didn’t feel it.

And, despite a lot of walking and cycling, we found that items in the pocket didn’t slip down or interfere with our movement in any way. The socks have a non-slip top which keeps them in place.

No excessive bulge

We also found that items in the pocket didn’t bulge noticeably and the zipper blends in with the material and is not obvious.

The pocket in Zip It Gear’s Passport Security Socks, to all intents and purposes, really is hidden.

It’s also clever that the zipper itself is made of nylon to avoid problems with airport metal detectors.

This is part of a series of reviews we are undertaking on personal safety products for travellers – especially fellow senior travellers. We are particularly focusing on the new-generation of innovative features and products that are rapidly boosting security for travellers.

The functional aspect

Okay, so the socks got top marks for personal security – but we asked ourselves whether they were also practical?

What would be the point if they didn’t also function well as plain old socks?

Well, on this point, we got a huge shock.

Comfortable and light to wear

As well as security, the Passport Security Socks were clearly designed to be particularly comfortable.

Soft and light, the socks have a form-fitting arch and extra padding on the sole and around the toes to help prevent blisters.

Zip It Gear says ‘Holofiber’ in the sock may also reduce feet swelling.

No sweat

In our test, we worked up quite a sweat walking and cycling, but found that the socks seemed to breath particularly well; stayed dry and cool; and didn’t smell.

The maintenance aspect

But how do you wash them while travelling?

We did both a machine wash and a hand wash – without any problems.

The Passport Security socks emerged unscathed from both the washing machine and a low tumble dry.

And for hand washing, we turned the socks inside out soaked them in soapy water, rinsed thoroughly and hung them to dry inside.

As claimed, they dried overnight, which is also great for travelling.

Photo courtesy Zip It Gear

Summary

There’s a lot to like about the Zip It Gear’s Passport Security Socks.

They’re great for securing your Passport and other essentials while on the road.

The zip pocket is a good size, doesn’t look bulky and does not slip down to hinder movement.

And, as well as their nifty security role, these are also first rate socks: comfortable to wear and well padded to absorb impact; light and dry even during hard exercise; and odour absorbing.

We put them through torrid testing and could not fault the functionality.

Overall, Zip It Gear’s Passport Security Socks are another relatively simple and affordable way of helping travellers outwit pickpockets and thieves.

Add these to your travel planning, or even when exercising at home or at the gym. We thoroughly recommend them.

They perfectly complement other personal security products that we’ve reviewed, such as:

Additional information about Passport Security Socks

Zip It Gear is a prominent travel accessories brand that distributes across the US and to a number of countries world wide. As well as security socks in several colour schemes and sizes, the company also sells a range of other innovative products.

How much does it cost and how can I get one

Disclaimer: Personal Security Company supplied a Wrist Personal Alarm for this review but, as always, the views expressed are ours and ours alone.

This is part of an ongoing series of reviews we are undertaking on personal safety products for travellers – especially fellow senior travellers. We are particularly focusing on the new-generation of innovative features and products that are rapidly boosting security for travellers.

Socks with a pocket

Watch for the next review in our series – on anti-theft ‘Pocket Socks’ sold by Zip It Gear.

* It’s made from slash-resistant chain-link fabric * The shoulder strap is reinforced to resist cutting. * Credit card and passport pockets have RFID protection against scanning of information.* A ‘Lobster claw’ locking feature holds each zipper in place, making it extremely difficult for anyone to secretively open the bag.

A big advantage

As well as these particular features, an enormous plus for Travelon’ s Anti-theft Classic Travel Bag is its overall design – a simple style, but containing heaps of detail.

This allows the user to be especially well organised and to have everything in its own space – rather than the bewildering jumble that some carry bags can become.

This organisation alone puts you at a big advantage over pickpockets because there’s no need to become oblivious to your surroundings while you search for things from the depths of your bag.

There’s heaps more space inside than you think at first look. The bag is divided into three cleverly-designed compartments – each with locking zippers.

For example, we used the front compartment for our iPhone – to give easy access.

The next one held credit cards, passport, a notebook, pen, other papers and cash in a zippered section.

And, the largest compartment easily held an iPad Mini, hair brush, keys, a Travelon safety scarf and all the usual purse items,

This section also contains a special loop and clasp for holding keys, with a handy LED light attached.

These interior pockets allow almost every item to have its own place. It’s surprising just how much fits easily into this bag without it becoming bulky.

Q: Is the shoulder strap easy to adjust?

The strap is comfortable, readily adjusted and long enough to wear either across-the-body or over the shoulder.

Q: How is the strap slash-resistant?

The Travelon shoulder strap has stainless steel cables running through the fabric to deter pickpockets from cutting it.

Q: How is the body of the bag slash-resistant?

The Travelon Anti-theft Classic Travel Bag is made from reinforced panels that feature a flexible, high-tech steel mesh to counter any attempt at slashing.Yet, when you look at it, you’d never know that it is so strong.

Tip:many pickpockets are young girls and boys — usually 10-16 years of age

Carrying this bag in crowded places will certainly provide peace of mind about personal security and help turn the tables on pickpockets.

We couldn’t recommend it more highly.

Q: Where you can get a Travelon Anti Theft Classic Travel Bag?

Ask to be shown this exceptional bag at Strandbags, Myers, and other leading luggage retailers, both online and offline.

Keep watching our Safety Series for your opportunity to win one of these exceptional bags. Details coming soon…….

Disclaimer: Travelon supplied an Anti-theft Classic Travel Bag for this review. However, as always, the opinions are ours and ours alone.

This is part of an ongoing series of reviews we are undertaking on personal safety products for travellers – especially fellow senior travellers. We are particularly focusing on the new-generation of innovative features and products that are rapidly boosting security for travellers.

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Meet Ian and Sue

G'day, we're experienced travellers from Australia - and welcome to a new type of website that gives our views on the age-friendliness of travel products and hotels. Click on our photo to learn more about us - and check our comments before you book that retirement trip, select an airline, consider a destination, choose a hotel or buy an anti-theft travel bag. We tell it like it is!

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